The Human Rights Center “Viasna”

News for July 2011

26.07.2011 “December 19” lawyers are disbarred

The lawyers of political prisoners Iryna Halip and Mikita Lihavid have not passed the certification. It has been announced today, on July 26.

26.07.2011 Bicycle race cancelled in Minsk due to “silent actions”

It had to take place in Horki Park on Tuesday, July 26.

26.07.2011 Imprisoned politician Dzmitry Bandarenka brought back to hospital in Minsk

Dzmitry Bandarenka was brought back to Minsk City Clinical Hospital No. 5 late on Monday for back surgery scheduled to be performed on July 26, the wife of the imprisoned opposition politician, Volha, told BelaPAN.

26.07.2011 Human rights mission calls on Belarusian authorities to comply with international treaties on treatment of prisoners

The Observation Mission of the International Committee for Monitoring the Human Rights Situation in Belarus has expressed “deep concern” about the reported maltreatment of Dzmitry Bandarenka, Mikita Likhavid and Andrey Sannikaw who are serving prison sentences after being convicted in connection with the December 19, 2010 post-election protest in Minsk.

26.07.2011 Baranavichy authorities ban picket

Baranavichy activist of the United Civil Party Ryhor Hryk will not be able to hold a picket on 30 July, after local authorities dismissed his application.

26.07.2011 MEP Migalski releases statement concerning Bandarenka

Marek Migalski, Member of the European Parliament, has issued a statement concerning Belarusian political prisoner Dzmitry Bandarenka.

26.07.2011 By executing two more death sentences Belarus violated the citizens’ right to appeal to the UN Human Rights Committee

The information on two more death sentences reportedly executed in Belarus last week has been confirmed by the mother of one of the executed persons Andrei Burdyka. On 25 July, Mrs. Burdyka visited Minsk detention center #1 and the center’s chief told the lady her son had been executed. The personal belongings of Mrs. Burdyka’s son were given to her.

25.07.2011 Sannikau’s lawyers keep appealing verdict

The lawyers of former presidential candidate Andrei Sannikau, sentenced to 5 years for alleged involvement in the 19 December “mass riot”, have lodged another appeal against the verdict, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports, quoting the politician’s lawyer Mrs. Maryna Kavaleuskaya.

25.07.2011 Imprisoned politician Dzmitry Bandarenka driven away from hospital after associates turn out to express support

Dzmitry Bandarenka was driven by unidentified men in plain clothes away from a hospital in Minsk after a group of his associates gathered at the entrance to the institution on Monday morning to express support for the imprisoned opposition politician.

25.07.2011 UN Human Rights Committee admits violation of Civil Alternative co-founders’ rights

The UN Human Rights Committee has released its findings on a complaint submitted by Homel civil activists Uladzimir Katsora, Leanid Sudalenka and Ihar Niamkovich, after their “Civil Alternative” public association was denied registration by the Belarusian government, www.gomelspring.org reports.

25.07.2011 “An employee of the Interior Ministry must not think differently than the authorities”

Maksim Pliatniou, employee of the Interior Ministry’s Security Department in Hrodna, has been reportedly forced to resign after he was accused of involvement in an “opposition-mined” community in one of the social network services.

25.07.2011 Hrodna protesters appeal verdicts

Hrodna residents Aliaksei Aliaksandrau and Ihar Hryhalets, fined BYR 1,050,000 and 875,000, respectively, for participation in a “silent protest” on 9 July, have lodged appeals against the verdicts.

25.07.2011 Navapolatsk protesters warned and fined

On 22 July, Navapolatsk town court heard the administrative cases of several persons detained during a protest on 20 July.

25.07.2011 EP President urges to release Zmitser Bandarenka

As well as other political prisoners.

22.07.2011 Will torture become criminal in Belarus?

The Belarusian Ministry of the Interior has initiated the introduction of the term “torture” into the Criminal Code, following a request by Ksenia Dubitskaya, graduate of the Human Rights School.